Henry II (nos. 122–39)

122. Writ of H II, ordering that Abbot Gervase is to have all his lands,
tenants and liberties as any of his predecessors held them TRE, and as
King Edward and H I granted by their charters to the abbey, with pleas,
including murder and theft. The sheriff may not intrude without the
consent of the abbot and monks. Dover [Dec. 1154 × 1157 (? 2 × 10 Jan.
1156)]

123.* Charter of liberties of H II, granted for his own soul; for those of
his parents; and those of H I and King Edward, taking the abbey, the
coronation church, under his protection; confirming its exemption from
episcopal or other temporal authority; its right of free election, and all
lands granted by his predecessors, magnates or citizens of London, and
extensive exemptions. Dover [19 Dec. 1154 × ante 14 Aug. 1158 (? 2 × 10
Jan. 1156)]

Date: Attestation of Warin Fitz Gerold as chamberlain. He was succeeded by his brother Henry before the king left England 14 Aug.
1158 (Eyton, Itinerary, 39–40). The witnesses all attest charters
issued by Henry at Dover, 2 × 10 Jan. 1156 (ibid., 15–16).

Note: A forgery, closely modelled on the spurious charters of liberties of
H I (57) and Stephen (111): cf. Chaplais, 'Original Charters', 96 n. 6.
The Dei gratia formula was introduced into the royal style only in
1172/3 (S.R., 19, 35).

124. Writ of H II, ordering the abbot and monks to allow Gilbert of
Hendon to hold his manor of Hendon (Mddx.) in fee farm as well and as
peaceably as Abbots Gilbert and Herbert and the chapter granted it to his
father, and to Gilbert himself, and as Gilbert or his father held it in the
reign of H I, as H I's charter bears witness. Northampton [Dec.
1154 × ante 14 Aug. 1158 (? × summer 1157)]

WAD, f. 124.

Date: Attested by Thomas Becket as chancellor, ante his election to
Canterbury, 23 May 1162 (Fasti II, 4). Prior to that date, the king was
continuously out of England from 14 Aug. 1158 (Eyton, Itinerary,
40–58), and since Abbot Gervase issued a charter to Gilbert Fitz
Gunter, in response to this mandate (263), Henry's writ cannot have
been issued much later than June 1157.

Note: King Stephen's writ ordering the abbey to observe Gilbert's
tenancy (107) makes no mention of any charter of H I. Abbot Gilbert
granted Hendon in farm to Gunter (241), and Abbot Herbert
confirmed it to Gunter and his unnamed heir (245). See also Harvey,
WA, 352.

125. Writ of H II, ordering the sheriff of Surrey that, if the abbot has
been disseised unjustly and without judgement of any part of his land of
Claygate (Surr.), then the sheriff is to reseise him justly and without
delay, as he was seised at the d. of H I. Winchester [1155 × c. Aug. 1158]

Date: Scribe xxvi was employed from 1155, but prob. down to the early
1160s, at latest, and he worked only in England (S.R., 30, and note
facing plate XXV(b)). The king was abroad from 14 Aug. 1158 to
early Jan. 1163 (Eyton, Itinerary, 40–58). The contents of the writ
also indicate a date soon after the king's accession (cf. Van Caenegem, 64, 66, 278).

Note: Cf. Harvey, WA, 358.

126.* Writ of H II, informing the justices, sheriffs, ministers and bailiffs
in whatever shires or jurisdictions the almonry holds lands, that he has
quitclaimed to the almonry all pleas, legal actions, suit of shire and
hundred courts, geld, Danegeld, scots, sheriffs' aids, murder fines, and
customary exactions in Paddington (Mddx.), Fanton (Essex) and Claygate (Surr.), and whatever it held in the wood and vill of Ditton (Surr.)
TRE and in the reigns of W I and H I, as their charters bear witness, with
sake and soke, etc. Westminster [Dec. 1154 × ante Michaelmas 1158]

Note: The tone and content suggest that this writ, like others on the
subject ascribed to H I and Stephen (62–4, 106), is spurious. See also
Harvey, WA, 341, 353, 358.

127. Writ of right of H II, ordering Geoffrey de Jarpunville to restore to
the monks without delay their tithes of Bushey (Herts.), as they held
them in the reign of H I, otherwise the bp. of Lincoln will do so.
Woodstock [Dec. 1154 × c. 1165]

WAD, f. 648v.

Date: Dei gratia absent from the royal style. John of Oxford attests
without a title, which suggests a date before his appointment as dean
of Salisbury in 1165 (L & C Foliot, 537; Letters of John of Salisbury
II, xxxii–xxxiii, 112, 170; E. Turk, Nugae Curialium (Geneva, 1977),
48). He became bp. of Norwich late in 1175 (Fasti II, 56).

Note: The bp. of Lincoln, Dec. 1148–Dec. 1166, was Robert de Chesney
(Fasti III, 2).

128. Writ praecipe of H II, ordering John of Bushey (Herts.), clerk, to
render to the abbot, justly and without delay, the tithe pertaining to his
parish of Aldenham (Herts.), as the abbey held it in the reign of H I, or
else the bp. of London will see to it. There must be no delay, because of
the king's sea-crossing or the appeal which he (the abbot) made to the
king. Portchester [Dec. 1154 × mid March 1166]

WAD, f.203v.

Date: Attested by Joscelin de Bailliol, who does not attest after 1166
(Eyton, Itinerary, 91, 94, 97; cf. p. 312). The king crossed to France
16–23 March 1166 (ibid., 92).

Note: Cf. Harvey, WA, 345, 403.

129.* Writ of H II, ordering Hilary, bp. of Chichester, the justices,
sheriffs and officers of Sussex, that the abbey and monks are to hold their
vill of Parham, with the church and its other appurtenances, quit of shire
and hundred courts, geld, Danegeld, sheriffs' aids and other exactions, as
a royal demesne chapel. It is not to be disseised of anything with which it
was seised on 15 Aug. next after his crossing to Normandy. Southampton
[Dec. 1154 × Mar. 1166]

130. Writ of H II, informing William de Turba, bp. of Norwich, and the
barons of Suffolk, that he confirms to the monks of St Bartholomew's,
Sudbury, two parts of the tithe of Torp, which Ivo gave from his demesne
when he became a monk there, to hold as King Henry confirmed by his
charter. Winchester [Dec. 1154 × early May 1172 (? 29 Sept. 1155)]

F, f. 79v; T, f. 24v, giving first attestation only.

Pd: Monasticon III, 459, no. II, from F.

Cal: Eyton, Itinerary, 12.

Date: William de Turba d. Jan. 1174 (Fasti II, 56), although the absence
of Dei gratia in the royal style indicates a date before the end of 1173
(cf. S.R., 19). The king crossed to Normandy in May 1172, and
returned to England 8 July 1174 (Eyton, Itinerary, 167, 179).
Possibly issued at the Council of Winchester, 29 Sept. 1155 (ibid.,
12).

Note: The one surviving charter of H I for Sudbury does not mention this
tithe (72). No prior is known, and there were perhaps two inmates at
any one time (Knowles & Hadcock, 77).

131. Writ of H II, ordering his sheriffs and officers throughout England,
in whatever bailiwicks the abbey has lands and men, that the abbey is to
have its liberty, as conceded in his own charter, and in those of his
predecessors. No-one is to exact more from them. Rouen [Dec.
1154 × ante Feb. 1173 (? June 1157 × 1158)]

WAD, f. 58; F, f. 87v (royal style given Henricus rex Anglorum etc.).

Pd: Regesta II, no. CCCXXVII, from F.

Cal: Regesta II, no. 1987.

Date: Dei gratia absent from the royal style. The absence of the abbot's
name, and the tenor of the writ, suggest that it was issued during an
abbatial vacancy, prob. that following the removal of Gervase
(Heads, 77). Use of bailliva, teste, cancellario.

Note: Perhaps in consequence of the issue of this writ, murder fines
levied on the abbot's lands in Essex, Herts. and Northants. during
the early years of the reign were pardoned per brevem regis (PR 2–4
Hen. II, 135; PR 7 Hen. II, 66, 69; PR 8 Hen. II, 8).

132. Writ of H II, ordering his justices, sheriffs and officers throughout
England that the monks are to have all lands, tithes and rents pertaining
to the almonry, as they did in the time of H I. Westminster [Dec.
1154 × ante 1 July 1175 (x ante Feb. 1173)]

Date: Attested by Reginald, earl of Cornwall, who d. 1 July 1175
(Diceto, I, 401). Dei gratia absent from the royal style.

133. Writ of H II, ordering the abbot [Laurence] to render right, without
delay, to Hugh Fitz Warner over three hides of land which were his in
Teddington and Sunbury, otherwise the sheriff of Mddx. will do so.
Westminster [c. 1158]

WAD, ff. 155v–156.

Date: Eyton, Itinerary, 38, and 25–58 passim; cf. 452.

Note: Hugh surrendered this writ to the abbey following his subsequent
lawsuit against Abbot Laurence (452). On Sunbury and Teddington,
see Harvey, WA, 354. It was later believed that Abbot Gervase had
granted a lease of three hides in these vills to Hugh Fitz Warner
(Flete, 89, but see Harvey, 'Fee Farms', 129, n. 6).

134. Notification by H II, generally addressed, that William Fitz Durand
declared in the king's presence his conversion to the monastic life, and
requested that all his land should be confirmed to his kinswoman
Margaret, wife of the king's sergeant, Alexander de Barentin. This
comprised 8s. worth of land in Warnborough and Odiham (Hants.),
which Durand 'the dwarf' (nanus) bought from Suffac in presence of H I
and his justices, with certain herbage, and enclosures in H II's wood in
Odiham. Henry therefore confirmed these lands to Alexander and
Margaret, as Durand held them in the reign of H I. Woodstock
[May × July 1175 (? 1–8 July 1175)]

WAM 661 (with Great Seal).

Pd: Formulare, no. DVIII, 295–6; Foedera I, i, ff. 45–6.

Cal: Eyton, Itinerary, 192; Acta H II and R I, 28, no. H 6.

Date: Outside limits given by the king's itinerary and the attestation of
Herbert as archdeacon of Northampton (Fasti III, 30–1; cf. Fasti II,
14). Prob. issued during the Council of Woodstock (Eyton, Itinerary, 192).

135. Confirmation by H II, to his pincerna, Alexander de Barentin, of
properties he has received from named donors, including a seld in
Dowgate, London, which Richard [of Ilchester] archdeacon of Poitiers
bought from Robert de Pont de l'Arche. Westminster [1175 × 1177
(? c. 18 May 1176)]

Date: The attestation of Gilbert Malet suggests a date no later than April
1177 (HBC, 75), while that of Herbert le Poer as archdeacon of
Canterbury is no earlier than 1175 × 1176 (Fasti II, 14). Possibly
issued during the Council or Synod of Westminster.

136. Notification of H II, generally addressed, that he has conceded and
confirmed to William of Darnford and his heirs the manor of Deerhurst
(Gloucs.) with all appurtenances, to be held of the abbot and convent at
an annual rent of £30, as specified in the charter of the former Abbot
Gervase, and in the charter of the convent. The king concedes all liberties
and free customs which King Edward granted, and confirms any which
may be granted by future kings. Oxford [May 1172 × ante Dec. 1184]

WAM 32669; WAD, f. 317.

Date: Attested by Count Geoffrey: prob. this is the king's son, usually
styled 'count' rather than 'duke' of Brittany. He left England for the
last time c. Dec. 1184 (Gesta Henrici, 320). Dei gratia absent from
the royal style.

Note: Abbot Gervase's charter (271) had been confirmed by the
empress, prob. in 1141 (98). The convent's charter apparently dates
from shortly after Gervase's dismissal, c. 1157 × 1158 (341). Abbot
Walter de Wenlock (1283–1307) purchased Deerhurst from the
William of Darnford of his own day (Flete, 116), hence the presence
of this charter among the Muniments. Cf. also Harvey, WA, 344–5.

137. Writ of H II, ordering the justices, sheriffs and bailiffs of Gloucs.
and Worcs. that the abbot and monks and their possessions are under his
protection, and everything belonging to them must be treated as though it
is royal demesne. All tenants of the abbey are to be compelled to render
the service they owe, without delay. Droxford [May 1172 × ante 10 July
1188 (? April 1173 × ante 8 July 1175)]

WAD, f. 58; F, ff. 131v–132.

Date: Before the king's final departure from England (Eyton, Itinerary,
288). Dei gratia in the royal style. The contents of the writ, and the
omission of the abbot's name, suggest that it was issued in the
interregnum between the d. of Abbot Laurence, 10 or 11 April 1173,
and the election of Abbot Walter, post 8 July 1175 (Heads, 77). In
that period, Henry was in England April–July 1173, and 8 July–8
Aug. 1174 (Eyton, 173, 179–83), and returned for a longer visit 8 or 9
May 1175 (ibid., 190).

138.* Confirmation by H II, in reverence for St Edward, and for his soul;
and those of his predecessors and successors, of the manor of Denham
(Bucks.), which Martin de Capella held, to hold in demesne. Westminster [c. 1181 × July 1188 (prob. c. 1181 × March 1182)]

WAD, f. 178v; LN, f. xxxiij verso; CAY, f. xxxvj recto–verso.

Cal: Bentley, 14, no. 137, from CAY.

Date: The first attestation to the WAD text is that of Abp. Richard, who
d. 16 Feb. 1184 (Fasti II, 5), so that the limit would be the king's
departure from England 10–11 March 1182 (Eyton, Itinerary, 247),
since he returned only on 10 June 1184 (ibid., 256). The LN text gives
the archbp. as B[aldwin], which would extend the limit to the king's
final departure on 10 July 1188 (Eyton, Itinerary, 288). Since Hugh
Bardulf attests as dapifer, an opening limit of 1181 is indicated (ibid.,
239).

Note: Textually, this is plainly a product of the Westminster scriptorium,
rather than of the royal chancery, and prob. spurious. Abbot
Walter's confirmation of Denham to Martin de Capella in fee-farm
dates from 1175 or later (301). Martin evidently held land of
Westminster in Denham in 1172 (PR 18 Henry II, 47). See also
Harvey, WA, 338–9.

139. Confirmation by H II, at the petition of Richard of Ilchester, bp. of
Winchester, to Alexander de Barentin and his sons Richard and Thomas,
the bp.'s nephews, and to their heirs, of the gifts which the bp. made
them, as his charter bears witness. These properties in London, include
the messuage of John Burgundian, in the Fishmarket. Clarendon
[(1181 ×) Feb. 1187)]

WAM 662 (with Great Seal).

Cal: Acta H II and R I, 28, no. H 7.

Date: Attested by Hugh of Morwick, d. 1187. His appearance, and that
of Hugh Bardulf, as dapifers, suggests a date of 1181 or later (Eyton,
Itinerary, 312, 330). Within the period 1181–1187, the king was
abroad c. 10 March 1182–c. 10 June 1184; c. 16 April 1185–27 April
1186; and c. 27 Feb. 1187–30 Jan. 1188 (ibid., 246–56; 263–7; 277–84). A likely time of issue would be Feb. 1187 (cf. ibid., 277).